Microsoft Republishes YouTube App, But Strips Features

Microsoft has released a new version of its YouTube application for the Windows Phone platform, but removed most of its former capabilities. The app is no longer a true stand-alone app, and instead redirects users to the mobile YouTube web site. The app description states plainly that when users click on a YouTube link in their email, MMS, Twitter, or other source, it will no longer go to the app and will simply open the browser. Once the mobile YouTube site has opened, Windows Phone users will be able to sign into their accounts and view their favorites and other content. Microsoft offered a more fully featured YouTube app earlier this year, but took it down at Google's request over supposed terms of use violations. YouTube version 3.2 for Windows Phone is free to download from the Windows Phone Store.